Lebanon principal, pot-bellied pig pucker up

Andrew Gonzalez said he was a little worried Friday morning before he kissed Daisy, the pot-bellied pig. The principal of Lebanon Elementary School was concerned about Daisy biting his mouth, which held a dried apple for the pig. But Daisy turned out to be pretty gentle with Gonzalez, who even repeated the smooch in front ...

Andrew Gonzalez said he was a little worried Friday morning before he kissed Daisy, the pot-bellied pig.

The principal of Lebanon Elementary School was concerned about Daisy biting his mouth, which held a dried apple for the pig.

But Daisy turned out to be pretty gentle with Gonzalez, who even repeated the smooch in front of the school’s students during a special assembly on Friday.

The kiss was the Lebanon Elementary School principal’s way of saying “good job” to the children, who collectively read more than 10,000 books during summer vacation.

“The students were challenged to read 10,000 books over the summer,” he said. “Our theme was a farm theme, so we thought, what better way to conclude our summer reading challenge than for the principal to kiss a pig.”

Wearing special pig-face head visors, the children cheered and laughed as their principal went lips-to-snout with Daisy II, who is actually a male pig.

Bristol farmer Paul Minor brought Daisy to the school, along with a pair of pugs, Lily Pug and Dixie Cup. Daisy sat in her own baby stroller, with pillows and a blanket, while the pugs shared a stroller.

Minor brings his farm animal family to schools, libraries and other events to promote reading in a fun and humorous way.

“I thought it was really cool. I was looking forward to it,” she said. “Farmer Minor was nice. He told good stories.”

Minor said Daisy I, his first pig, and Daisy II have been sent pig books from fans around the world and have been given the ceremonial keys to numerous cities. He played a recording of the snorting noises Daisy makes each morning.

“I like how he told the story about how he got Daisy I,” Rachel Springer, 9, said.

Farmer Minor also read a book based on a true story about a special pig, “Little Flower,” that saved her owner after she fell and got hurt, and led the children in the “Daisy Pledge.”

“I promise Daisy I’ll keep reading lots of good books. I’ll visit my library often. I’ll watch a little less TV. And I’ll pig out on reading,” he said as the children repeated the words.

Minor then sat in a rocking chair while each student, and the teachers, got to pet and kiss Daisy and the pugs.